Now more than ever, small-scale gardeners are favoring gentler, “pre-industrialized” ways of vegetable growing. Heightened interest in locavorism, heirloom seed-saving, community gardens, farmers markets, and local food sourcing are also contributing to our collective desire to get our own hands dirty and truly know where our food comes from. Ground-swelling developments like these are […]

With the heat finally breaking, but with plenty of summer spice still in the air, it seems like the perfect time to reprint this recipe from last October that mixes some zest into warm winter food.—ed. Chicken Tikka Masala would win by a landslide, if Himalayan Fusion’s diners were asked to register their vote. So […]

Charlottesville is holding its own as a leader in Virginia’s green-building movement. At least that’s what we thought when we saw the list of 2007 Green Innovation Award winners recognized by the Virginia Sustainable Building Network, an organization that promotes green buildings and communities. Among them was Fred Oesch, a Schuyler architect recognized for his […]

The plain ol’ B.L.T. just doesn’t compare. Café Cubano brings a south Floridian flair to Charlottesville with its multilayered Cuban Sandwich recipe. Café Cubano owner Tony Jorge says the Cuban Sandwich—featuring a garlic-citrus “mojo” marinade—is one of his most popular lunch specials. “I try to duplicate the mojo texture that is very common in the […]

The more things change, the more they stay the same—that is, if you live at Lake Monticello. Located in the middle of Fluvanna County, Lake Monticello looks pretty much the same since this writer swam at the 3,500-acre gated community’s sandy beaches and skateboarded on the tennis courts near the main clubhouse as a teenager […]

Ever knocked back one too many, only to find yourself whipping up your patented hangover cure the next morning—Diet Coke and coffee, plus two aspirin and several slices of cold pizza? It’s a claim we don’t make often in this space, but Alex George says that enjoying a stomach-soothing ginger cucumber salad before you imbibe […]

If ever there was a comfort food, it has to be soup. Forget Oprah with her mashed potatoes, and forget everybody else with their chocolate chip cookies and carbo-loaded bread. What could be a better serotonin booster on a bleak, snowy evening than a warm bowl of thick chowder? The owners of The Carving Board […]

There is more on Charlottesville’s plate than just what’s found on the Downtown Mall. Traveling outside the reliable confines of the Downtown Mall bubble might well be worth it. At Three Notch’d Grill in Crozet, the Pork Osso Buco with Saffron Risotto is a standout on the menu. Co-owner and Chef Hayden Berry says this […]

Yep—Grandma’s chocolate peppermint pudding pie was too good to pass up this year, again. Another Christmas has passed, and another promise to resist stuffing your cheeks with all of the holiday pies, cakes and cookies you can get your hands on has been broken. With the new year, new diet resolutions take hold—ones that have […]

Tuna is one of the more popular ways to serve up fish on the family dinner table, but come on. You can do better than the average, uninspired tuna-fish sandwich and tuna casserole, right? The Millmont Grille has a recipe that will expand your tuna horizons. Millmont serves fish specials every day, and General Manager […]

Grits are making a comeback. This typically breakfast staple was the culinary highlight of the March of Dimes’ (www.marchofdimes.com) recent Signature Chefs Auction benefit at the Doubletree Hotel. Entrées featuring grits made an appearance twice, including Treetops’ mouthful of a dish: braised venison with apple-bacon bleu cheese grits, roasted butternut squash and haricots verts. Also […]

Already regretting that wish you made for colder weather during the smoldering 90 degree days last summer? If you’re craving the hazy days of late August and weekend trips to the beach, then the Lazy Parrot Grill in Pantops Shopping Center has the remedy. Their tropical retreats come in glasses, though: They’ve dreamed up a […]

There are a thousand ways to dress up pasta. You can cook it the traditional way with meatballs and marinara sauce or as a healthy vegetable medley sprinkled with parmesan cheese. Better still, why not be like Will Farrell in Elf and pour the hot condiment of the season—maple syrup—on your pasta, then top it […]

If there is a “hot” condiment this holiday season, it’s got to be maple syrup. And From Scratch Baking Co., located in the Forest Lakes Shopping Center, knows how to incorporate this delish flavoring into a decadent dessert. This year, pass on the mincemeat and pumpkin pies and try your hand at making this bake […]

Tired of cooking the same old boring meal of burgers and French fries? Well, toss des frites and roll up your sleeves to make this quick and simple dish from the menu of Downtown restaurant Petit Pois. Moules Marinières is a “classic French bistro dish,” says Brian Helleberg, owner of Petit Pois—it’s a dish that […]